Aussie Star Choisir Confirmed for July Cup; Colt Could be Sold

Edited from track reports
Star Australian sprinter Choisir, trained by Paul Perry, has been given given the go-ahead to run in the group I Darley July Cup on Thursday, July 10, at Newmarket, England.

Shannon Perry, the trainer's son who has been supervising the colt's training at Geoff Wragg's Newmarket, England, stable, reported that Choisir had come on for his historic Royal Ascot double in the group II King's Stand Stakes and group I Golden Jubilee Stakes last month.

"He runs next week and is a bit tighter and more race fit as the Darley July Cup will be his third run back," said the younger Perry, confirming that jockey Johnny Murtagh will be aboard the son of Danehill Dancer. " I don't know what else he needs to do now to prove his (European champion sprinter's) title, the others are going to run out of races to catch him soon."

Airwave, who came second in the Golden Jubilee Stakes when in season, is due to bid to turn the tables on Choisir in the £250,000 Darley July Cup, Europe's premier sprint, which is run over six furlongs.

There has been much speculation about whether Choisir will be sold but the trainer's son is not aware that any deal has been done.

"I've just been told we're running and to get the horse there the best we can," he added. "The offers that they've got, if they've had any, would have gone to Australia and I'm in Newmarket so I wouldn't know about them."

The present owners -- Terry Wallace and partners -- have indicated that Choisir is set to run in their colors at Newmarket.

The Darley July Cup is the highlight of next week's three-day July Meeting at Newmarket, from Tuesday to Thursday, July 8-10, which this year boasts prize money of £1 million for the first time.